How To Preserve Watercolor Paintings; Everything You Need To Know!

Watercolor paintings are a popular choice as wall art due to their subtle colors, transparency, and delicate mixing. Many people are skeptical about these delicate creations and question their durability and maintenance.

Watercolor creations can be delicate. Watercolor paint is made of color pigments and water soluble binders like gum Arabic. These colors are combined with water and painted on absorbent surfaces to create works.

The color pigment is left on the surface of the water, even after it evaporates. This creates a beautiful piece of art.

If not taken care of properly, a watercolor painting can quickly become discolored, bent, or crumpled. Keep reading if you have one of these beautiful works.

How do you preserve watercolor paintings?

Here are some tips to help you preserve your watercolor paintings.

Framing

When caring for watercolor artwork, the most important rule to follow is that these paintings must be framed behind glass. Glaze the glass. Plexiglass with UV coating or Densglass are good choices.

Because a watercolor painting should not come in contact with the glass, the matting is essential. If the watercolor isn't flat, double matting is recommended.

A seal dust cover can be installed at the back of your frame to increase security. This will stop microscopic insects from entering your artwork and may deposit fecal matter.

Archival Framing

Archival framing guarantees that your artwork will remain in good condition for many decades. A well-preserved piece will last for decades, even if it isn't your favorite rug or sofa.

What is Archival Framing?

An archival frame is a material that has no adverse effect on the picture. The backing and mat, as well as the hinges used for attaching the painting to the mat, are all non-acidic.

To make the mat board, you should use linen rags or cotton. This mat board is free from harmful acids and is the best quality.

The use of glue or adhesives is not allowed for excellent framing. Japanese paper hinges and paper tapes are great for attaching artwork to mat boards. They are archival-grade and will not affect the artwork.

The archival frame can be reversed and does not alter the original artwork.

Quality Frame

There are many options when it comes to preservation frames. Bright frames are often used to make work stand out. However, archival framing is limited in color options. Archival mats are typically in neutral tones.

You can create a more elaborate art presentation by using custom and decorative frames. These frames will give your artwork the right amount of glamour and utility. All of your requirements will be met by our Sydney custom photo framing service.

If you are using an unarchived frame, it is necessary to line the frame's interior with a pH-neutral material.

Avoid Touching

It is also forbidden to touch the watercolor paintings' surface. Your painting may be permanently damaged if oil residue or stains are left behind by your hands.

Placement

To ensure your watercolor's longevity, even with protective framing, you must take care of its placement. Avoid placing these pieces in bathrooms that are susceptible to dampness.

Keep the Light from Hitting Your Painting

Watercolor paintings are highly susceptible to environmental variables like light and humidity.

Avoid hanging your painting near a window or wall that is exposed to direct sunlight. The paper may become brittle and colors will fade.

Watercolor pigments can be fragile and easily fade when exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays. It will be disappointing to see the paper dry out, become brittle, or turn a yellowish color.

Fluorescent light can be just as damaging to watercolors as sunlight, so make sure you keep your artwork clear of it. Your gallery expert says that fluorescent light has the same UV content as sunlight.

Hang the picture in a room that has halogen or incandescent lighting. A low-emission ceiling spotlight will highlight the painting.

Don't Hang in the Wrong Places

It is not a good idea to hang art in every room in your home. Keep watercolors out of direct heat, oils, odors, and moisture. You should also avoid storing them near heat-emitting appliances or heaters as this could permanently damage the pigments.

Experts suggest rotating paintings frequently to avoid overexposure.

There are no dramatic changes in the environment

Paintings can also be damaged by extreme environmental changes. The temperature in museums and galleries is kept below 20° Celsius, and humidity is between 50-60 percent.

If you are looking to save a 100-year-old watercolor painting, don't worry too much. Other artworks can be saved using the filtering system in your home HVAC.

You should ensure that there are no significant temperature or humidity changes in your home. This can be detrimental to your fine art pieces.

Final Verdict

Watercolor paintings add a serene and calming touch to any space. You can make sure that your paintings are attractive and preserved for posterity by keeping these principles in mind.

They are most susceptible to environmental degradation. These sculptures are often made on paper which can quickly become unattractive if left out in the open. If they are exposed to dampness, their colors can become distorted or runny.

You should also be aware of dust, insects, and mold.

Artists are often reluctant to apply any protective varnish or water-resistant cover because of the inherent nature of their work.

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